>>> THANK YOU JOINING US FOR A LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

WE ARE REVISITING SOME OF THE STORIES FROM 2021 THAT IMPACTED LOCAL ARTS AND CULTURE.

THAT INCLUDES THE LOSS OF A SAN DIEGO ICON.

WE WILL REMEMBER FATHER JOE CARROLL.

A MAN KNOWN FOR HIS HOLIDAY AND YEAR-ROUND HELP TO SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>>> AND SDSU GRAD BECOMES A HIT HOLLYWOOD DIRECTOR.

MEET THE AZTEC WHO BROUGHT HIS TALENTS TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE.

>>> THE FACE OF THE FRANCHISE.

THIS WAS THE YEAR THE PADRES WENT ALL IN WITH FERNANDO -- JUNIOR.

>>> TO YOUR OF TRANSITION FROM ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S BIGGEST EVENTS.

COMIC-CON 2021 BROUGHT PROGRESS AND SETBACKS.

ONE BRIGHT SPOT IS THE OPENING OF THE COMIC-CON MUSEUM IN BALBOA PARK.

THE MAYOR WAS THERE ON THANKS GIVING WEEKEND FOR THE OFFICIAL RIBBON CUTTING TYING IN WITH THE SKILLED OMICRON SPECIAL EDITION.

THE USUAL SUMMER FESTIVAL WAS COUNSEL FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

COMIC-CON ORGANIZERS HOPE TO BE BACK AT FULL FORCE IN JULY.

EVEN THOUGH THE CROWDS WERE SMALLER, THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE OF FANS.

THAT INCLUDES A GROUP OF WOMEN.

MG PEREZ SHOWS US HOW THEY ARE INSPIRING THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

>> Reporter: THESE MAGNIFICENT WOMEN AREN'T SUPERHEROES STEAMING AHEAD WITH EDUCATION.

JASMINE'S ELDER, THE ROCKET SCIENTIST AND BALLERINA.

DR. -- A MOLECULAR BIOLOGIST AND FASHION DESIGNER.

>> THE WHOLE TIME I WAS IN SCHOOL TO BE AN AEROSPACE ENGINEER I DID KNOW ANY OTHER BLACK WOMEN WHO GRADUATED BEFORE ME.

>> THE BLUE IS THE DNA AND IT MAKES US WHO WE ARE.

>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR SEES SCIENCE AND A MICROSCOPE AND STUDIES HOW DIFFERENT CELLS DIVIDE AND HOW THEY CAN TREAT CANCER.

MAYBE SOMEDAY CURE IT.

GROWING UP NO ONE MODELED FOR HER HOW SHE COULD STUDY SCIENCE AND BE AN ARTIST.

>> I WAS TOLD BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY ROLE MODELS I DECIDED TO GO FOR BIOLOGY.

AND THEN LATER I DISCOVERED I CAN COMBINE MY PASSIONS AND CREATE SCIENCE AND ART.

>> Reporter: JASMINE SADLER FOUND HERSELF IN A SIMILAR SITUATION HOME IN DETROIT WHERE SHE STARTED DANCING AT THE AGE OF FIVE.

THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE WAY SHE MOVED AND LATER PERFORMED AS A COMPETITIVE BALLERINA THAT INSPIRED HER TO CHASE HER AEROSPACE ENGINEERING DREAMS.

THERE WAS A CONNECTION IN HOW A DANCER FLIES ABOVE THE STAGE JUST LIKE AN AIRPLANE IN THE SKY.

NOW SHE IS SHARING THAT WITH STUDENTS.

>> TEACHERS ARE SUPERHEROES.

WE TAKE IMPRESSIONABLE MINDS AND WE PUT GIFTS IN THOSE.

ONCE THOSE FOR US YOU CAN CREATE ALL TYPES OF NEW TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION.

>> Reporter: EDUCATION FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE ANIME AND EXIT TERRESTRIALS.

SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION STATEMENT COMMITTED TO EDUCATION AND BRINGING AWARENESS TO THE ARTS AND CULTURE TO COMICS.

THE SUPERHERO TRIO ALSO INCLUDES SAM WINS.

SHE IS KNOWN AS THE MOTHER OF SNAKES.

SHE GATHERS DATA AS A FIELD BIOLOGIST IT IS MOST PROUD OF HER ANNUAL SUMMER SILENCE CAMP FOR GIRLS.

SHE IS DETERMINED TO BRING EQUITY TO SCIENCE.

>> THESE PEOPLE HAD ALWAYS BEEN INVITED TO THE SCIENTIFIC TABLE OF UNDERSERVED GROUPS, MAYBE CLIMATE CHANGE WOULD NOT BE WHERE IT'S AT.

MAYBE WE WOULD HAVE CURES FOR DISEASES LIKE CANCER.

>> Reporter: IMPORTANT GOALS FOR A GROUP OF SUPERHEROES WHO DON'T WEAR CAPES.

>>> COMICS ARE NO LONGER A FRINGE MEDIUM INTENDED JUST FOR KIDS.

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE COLORED PAGES SERVES AS A LESSON ABOUT CRITICAL THINKING.

-- DROPPED IN ON ONE-OF-A-KIND COURSE AT SDSU.

>> Reporter: HOW DOES A PROFESSOR GET STUDENTS TO SIGN UP FOR A CLASS WITH THE DULL TITLE OF ENGLISH 157?

CHANGE THE NAME.

>> I CALL IT PSYCHEDELIC MIRRORS.

THEY SAY THE HUMANITIES ARE DYING BUT IT'S NOT TRUE.

WE JUST HAVE NOT MARKETED THEM IN THE RIGHT WAY.

>> Reporter: WILLIAM -- IS A PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE AT SDSU.

HIS MARKETING WORKED.

>> PSYCHEDELIC NEWS WAS SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY AND SOMETHING MIRRORS LOOKING INTO YOURSELF.

LOOKING THROUGH THE EYES OF SOMEONE WHO COULD POSSIBLY BE ON PSYCHEDELICS.

A VERY STRANGE AND UNIQUE NAME FOR A COURSE.

>> Reporter: THE COURSE LOOKS TO HISTORY AND COMICS.

>> THE FOCUS IS ON THE HUMAN PSYCHE AND HOW A GROUP OF BRILLIANT ARTISTS DEPICTED THE CHRISSY'S OF THE HUMAN MIND BUT IN COMMON BOOKS.

>> Reporter: A COURSE ON, BOOKS MIGHT MAKE SOME TAXPAYERS FEEL THEIR MONEY IS BEING WASTED.

>> COMICS MAY SEEM NOT AS IMPORTANT AS OTHER ACADEMIC SUBJECTS BUT I FEEL IT IS INTERACTIVE AND SOME PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE MORE VISUAL LEARNERS FOR SOME PEOPLE TO SEE COMICS AS ENTERTAINMENT CAN ALSO GET EDUCATIONAL VALUE AND THEY COULD ALSO SEE A LOT OF INFORMATION IN OTHER THINGS TO COMICS.

>> I THINK IS MORE THAN COMICS.

ETIQUETTES CRITICAL THINKING.

I THINK IT'S ANALYZING TEXTS THAT ONE MIGHT OVERLOOK SOMETHING AS A BUNCH OF CARTOONS.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO THINK FOR YOURSELF.

THAT'S WHAT FAKE NEWS HAS STRIPPED PEOPLE OF RECENTLY.

THE ABILITY TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: SHE SEES COMICS AS A WAY TO GET THE STUDENTS TO THINK.

>> THAT COULD BE A METAPHOR.

>> Reporter: FOR THIS CLASS TO THINK CRITICALLY OF HOW THE IMAGES CAN AFFECT THEM.

>> RACISM GROWS THROUGH ENTERTAINMENT.

WE ARE SEEING TO YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE STREETS OF PRAGUE WATCHING AN EARLY FORM OF A MOTION PICTURE.

TODAY I WAS LECTURING ON HOW ROBERT CRUMB, AND UNDERGROUND CARTOONIST FRAMED IN EARLY FORM OF MOTION PICTURE TO SHOW HOW SUSCEPTIBLE PEOPLE ARE TO BEING RACIST PIGS.

IF WE SEE IT IN THE MOVIES WE WILL BELIEVE IT.

IF WE HEAR IT ON TV WE WILL BELIEVE IT.

IF WE SEE IT ON THE INTERNET, WE WILL BELIEVE IT.

>> Reporter: BILL IS NOT A CONSUMER THE ALSO CHALLENGES HIS STUDENTS TO DEEPLY UNDERSTAND IMAGES.

>> I THINK IT'S WHY I WAS ASKED TO TEACH A CLASS ABOUT COMICS.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO TEACH PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE MESSAGES AND ALSO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE TEMPTATIONS ARE OF THE IMAGE ITSELF AND TO THINK DEEPLY THROUGH CONSUMING THE IMAGE, WHAT IS IT MEAN FOR MY THOUGHTS?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR MY ACTIONS?

>> I DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER.

>> EACH ONE OF US WILL BE CONFRONTED BY AMBIGUITY EVERY DAY.

>> UNAPOLOGETIC CURIOSITY.

>> LITERATURE IF ANYTHING PREPARES US MUCH MORE FOR LIFE THAN A COURSE IN BOTANY.

>> INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIND A SPECIFIC ANSWER YOU'RE JUST BROADENING YOUR OWN WORLD PERSPECTIVE AND THE CONCEPTS AND IDEAS YOU MIGHT HAVE ALREADY TO BECOME A MORE MATURE PERSON AND DO NOT NECESSARILY AS MUCH ABOUT FINDING A SPECIFIC ANSWER BUT MAYBE BECOMING SOMEONE WHO WAS MORE OPEN-MINDED AND OVERALL WELL- ROUNDED.

>> THAT'S WHY WE NEED CLASSES LIKE PSYCHEDELIC MIRRORS.

>> LITERATURE HAS OPEN DIALOGUE AND THOUGHT.

ALSO CONFLICT.

THOUGHTFUL CONFLICT.

DISAGREEMENT.

WE HAVE NEVER HAD MORE OF A NEED FOR OUR STUDENTS TO HAVE THE CRITICAL CAPACITY TO EVALUATE INFORMATION.

>>> 2021 BROUGHT A COUPLE OF BIG ADDITIONS TO THE LIST OF PLACES WE GATHER AND CELEBRATE.

THAT INCLUDES SOMETHING YOU CAN'T MISS ON A SAN DIEGO WATERFRONT.

THIS SUMMER A BRAND-NEW MUSIC VENUE KNOWN AS THE SHELL OPENED RIGHT NEXT TO THE CONVENTION CENTER.

IT'S A HOME FOR THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY AND WILL BE USED FOR ALL KINDS OF CONCERTS AS WELL AS OTHER EVENTS.

>>> ANOTHER MAJOR PROJECT MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS THIS YEAR IN MISSION VALLEY.

THAT'S WHERE YOU WILL FIND SNAPDRAGON STADIUM.

THE SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS AND THE WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM WILL CALL IT HOME.

THE STADIUM IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN AUGUST IN TIME FOR THE AZTEC POSTSEASON.

>>> FOR THE PADRES 2021 WAS THE YEAR IT'S BREAKTHROUGH STORE GOT PAID.

FERNANDO -- SIGNED THE RICHEST DEAL IN SAN DIEGO SPORTS HISTORY.

WE HEARD FROM FANS WHO WERE THRILLED HE WILL BE HERE FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> I WILL PROBABLY GET INTO MY INITIAL REACTION BUT IT IS PURE HAPPINESS.

>> Reporter: FERNANDO -- IS A TRUE COMPETITOR EXPIRING HIS TEAMMATES THROUGH WORK ETHIC.

HE HAS PUT UP 39 HOMERUNS WITH 27 STOLEN BASES.

>> GET TO KNOW THE NAME.

>> BEING CONSISTENT EVERY DAY AND THEN SHOWING UP AND PERFORMING WELL.

IN TREATING PEOPLE VERY WELL.

TEAMMATES BUY INTO THAT QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: HIS 14 YEAR $340 MILLION CONTRACT IS NOT FINALIZED JUST YET.

IT'S ON TRACK TO BE THE LONGEST AND ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE IN BASEBALL HISTORY.

>> JACK WAS TOURING PETCO PARK WITH HIS FAMILY TODAY.

>> NATALIE AND THEN AMERICAN LEAGUE.

>> Reporter: HE IS EXCITED ABOUT HIM PLAYING SHORTSTOP FOR THE NEXT DECADE.

>> IS GETTING A LOT OF MONEY.

>> IS REALLY GOOD.

>> Reporter: OTHER PADRE FANS ARE PICKING UP THEIR JERSEYS FROM THE TEAM STORE WHILE THEY STILL CAN.

>> I AM SO HYPED.

I'M A HUGE FAN.

I'VE BEEN SAYING IT SINCE HE IS BEEN HERE.

HE NEEDS TO BE A LIFETIME PADRE FAN.

>> Reporter: BIG MOVES LIKE THIS PROVES PADRES OWNERSHIP IS SERIOUS ABOUT BRINGING A CAMPING TRIP TO SAN DIEGO.

>> I'M HAPPY FOR THE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY.

IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT KIDS CAN ENJOY.

IT'S GOING ACROSS GENERATIONS.

>> Reporter: HIS TALENT IS UNDENIABLE AND HE CAN BE ONE OF THOSE ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME PLAYERS FANS DEFINITELY THINK HE IS.

>> THE JOY HE HAS PLAYING BASEBALL, PEOPLE CONNECT WITH THAT.

I THINK THAT'S WHY WE ARE ALSO EXCITED.

THIS REALLY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY AND POTENTIAL TO BE ANOTHER TONY GWYNN SITUATION.

WE LOVE TONY SO MUCH AND TREVOR.

IT'S GOING TO BE NICE TO HAVE ANOTHER SUPERSTAR.

>> Reporter: MANY WE TALKED TO WERE HOPEFUL THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE HIM PLAY IN PERSON THIS UPCOMING SEASON.

>>> FOOD IS NOT JUST A WAY WE CAN RELATE TO AND LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT CULTURES.

IT CAN ALSO BE A PATH TO SELF IMPROVEMENT.

WE SAW IT IN OCTOBER AT A CULINARY GRADUATION THAT MEANT SO MUCH MORE TO THOSE WHO WERE INVOLVED.

MELISSA MAE HAS THEIR STORY.

>> I ALWAYS KNEW I WANTED TO BE A CHEF.

I KNEW I WAS GOOD AT IT.

I JUST NEEDED SOMEONE TO BELIEVE IN ME SO I COULD BELIEVE IN MYSELF.

>> I WANT TO THINK KITCHENS FOR GOOD FOR HELPING.

>> Reporter: J DAY WAS ONE OF THE FIVE GRADUATES WHO COMPLETED THE KITCHENS FOR GOOD PROGRAM WHICH HELPS PEOPLE LEARN THE SKILLS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN HOSPITALITY.

BEFORE THE PROGRAM SHE STRUGGLED WITH HOMELESSNESS AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

>> THIS PROGRAM IS TAUGHT ME TO BE A GREAT CHEF AND LIFE SKILLS.

IT TAUGHT ME HOW TO BE A LEADER.

NOT ONLY A LEADER BUT HOW TO MOVE FORWARD IN LIFE.

NOT JUST IN MY CAREER BUT AS A PERSON, MOTHER, DAUGHTER, AND SISTER.

>> THAT WAS PART OF WHO I WAS AND THIS IS WHERE I AM NOW.

WE WANT TO SUPPORT THEM EVERY STEP OF THE JOURNEY.

>> Reporter: DENNIS CROSBY IS THE DIRECTOR.

HE SAYS STUDENTS COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE INCLUDING FORMERLY INCARCERATED, HOMELESS, OR UNEMPLOYED.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT LOVE COOKING ABOVE FOOD AND WANT TO GIVE BACK INTO THAT INDUSTRY.

>> Reporter: THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM IS 20 MONTHS LONG.

THE FIRST THREE MONTHS ARE SPENT IN CLASSROOMS AND TEACHING KITCHENS.

FOR THE REMAINING 17 MONTHS THE APPRENTICES GET 2400 HOURS OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING WITH ONE OF THE PROGRAMS OVER 140 EMPLOYER PARTNERS.

>> A GOOD NUMBER OF THE INDIVIDUALS ON THE STATE WILL BE STARTING TO WORK NEXT WEEK.

SOME HAVERTY STARTED WORKING A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

>> Reporter: SINCE LAUNCHING KITCHENS FOR GOOD HAS LAUNCHED 350 APPRENTICES GET JOBS WITH AN 84% PLACEMENT RATE.

THEY HAVE ALSO RESCUED 1100 POUNDS OF FOOD AND PROVIDED 20,000 NUTRITIOUS MEALS.

>>> SAY THEIR NAME.

THOSE THREE WORDS HAVE BECOME A RALLYING CRY TO NOT FORGET THOSE WHO WERE KILLED BY POLICE AND ACTS OF RACISM.

IN JULY ALEXANDER HOW LUCAS TO AN EXHIBIT THAT DOES JUST THAT.

>> HERE IS GEORGE FLOYD AND TAMIR RICE.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 200 BLACK LIVES LOST TO POLICE BRUTALITY AND RACES ACTS WITH THOSE FACES ARE LINED UP AND ON DISPLAY FOR PEOPLE TO REFLECT ON.

TO SAY THAN A MEMORIAL ART INSTALLATION WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE EFFORTS OF -- MANY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SAN DIEGO AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM OF FINE ART.

HE HOPES SEEING THE SPACES THE POST WILL TOUCH PEOPLE LIKE IT DID HIM.

>> WE WANT TO USE THIS AS A TEACHABLE MOMENT.

TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT ABSTRACT.

IT'S ALL AROUND US AND INSIDE OF US.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE A CHANGE.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE NAMES AND FACES LOCALS MIGHT RECOGNIZE IS ALFORD ALONG GO WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY POLICE IN THE CITY OF EL CAJON BACK IN 2016.

SEEING HIS FACE HELPED BRING IT HOME THAT'S SYSTEMIC RACISM IS IN OUR OWN BACKYARD.

>> THIS IS NOT ABSTRACT.

THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN SOMEWHERE ELSE.

IT IS ALL AROUND US AND I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THIS.

>> Reporter: THE FREE EXHIBIT OPENS UP SATURDAY AND RUNS THROUGH JULY 25th.

>>> MARVEL KEEPS CRANKING OUT HIT AFTER HIT AND THAT INCLUDES ITS FIRST FILM CENTERED AROUND AN ASIAN SUPERHERO.

WE HAVE THE ORIGIN STORY OF THE SDSU GRAD WHO BROUGHT A COMIC BOOK TO THE BIG SCREEN.

>> Reporter: IN 2002 I SHOWED -- FOR STUDENT FILM.

ONE BRANCH, A SUBURBAN PARABLE AND THEN WATCHED HIS MATURITY.

WHICH EACH FILM HE TRIED SOMETHING NEW AND DISPLAYED EMPATHY FOR CHARACTERS AS THEY STRUGGLE TO FIND CONNECTIONS IN A PLACE IN THE WORLD.

NOW HE HAS DIRECTED MARVELS -- AND THE LEGEND OF THE 10 RINGS.

HE HAS CHALLENGED HIMSELF TO MAKE A SUPERHERO FILM WITH THE KIND OF CHARACTERS HE DIDN'T REALLY SEE WHEN HE WAS YOUNG.

>> THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF ASIAN AMERICAN REPRESENTATION THAT FELT LIKE ME ARE MY FRIENDS.

SO WE WANTED TO CONTRIBUTE THAT TO THEM.

WE WANTED A CHARACTER AND -- TO REALLY FEEL LIKE ME AND MY FRIENDS.

OR BE RELATABLE TO ANYBODY WHO IS AMERICAN.

WHETHER YOU ARE ASIAN AMERICAN OR WHATEVER YOU ARE.

>> YOU HAVE THE WRONG GUY.

DOES HE LOOK LIKE HE CAN FIGHT?

>> Reporter: LIKE YOU AND ME BUT WITH A LITTLE EXTRA.

>> OF ANYTHING WHEN YOU WALK OUT OF THE THEATER I HOPE CONSCIOUSLY OR SUBCONSCIOUSLY YOU WILL BE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO SAY ALL ASIANS ARE THE SAME.

>> Reporter: DELIVERING THE FIRST ASIAN SUPERHERO IN THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE CAME WITH A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MAUI NATIVE.

>> I HAVE GONE THROUGH MY PROCESS OF REALLY STRESSING OUT ABOUT THAT RESPONSIBILITY.

OF REALLY CARRYING THE WEIGHT MAYBE A LITTLE TOO MUCH TO WHERE IT WAS UNHEALTHY TO BE STRESSED ABOUT IT.

I DO THINK THAT AMOUNT OF STRESS WAS HELPFUL TO GET THE STORY TO THE PLACE WHERE IT IS AND I FEEL PROUD OF WHAT WE ARE PUTTING OUT INTO THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: PART OF THE CHALLENGE INVOLVED HOW TO DEPICT -- HIS FATHER.

>> YOU ARE UP AGAINST A LOT WITH THIS CHARACTER BECAUSE IN THE COMICS THERE IS A LOT OF BAGGAGE AROUND HIM.

INITIALLY IN THE COMICS HIS DAD WAS A PROBLEMATIC CHARACTER.

IN A LOT OF WAYS AN ASIAN STEREOTYPE.

WHEN I CASTED TONY LYONS HE IS THE TYPE OF ACTOR WE NEEDED TO GET FOR THE ROLE AND FIND WHAT THE CHARACTER NEEDED TO BE EVEN THOUGH HE IS TECHNICALLY THE VILLAIN OF THE MOVIE AND HE DOES DO SOME VERY BAD THINGS.

THE ROOT OF THOSE BAD THINGS IS LOVE.

IT IS MISGUIDED LOVE AND THE PAIN THAT COMES FROM LOSING SOMEBODY YOU LOVE.

>> Reporter: THE RESULT IS SYMPATHETIC AND MULTIDIMENSIONAL.

IN ADDITION THE FILM GIVES US A LOT TO CELEBRATE FROM THE GREAT RAPPORT BETWEEN -- AND AQUA FINA.

SPECTACULAR ACTION TO GORGEOUS PRODUCTION VALUES.

SUPPORT NOT NECESSARILY A SAN DIEGO SUCCESS STORY BUT A STEP FORWARD FOR ASIANS ON SCREEN AND BIND THE CAMERA.

HE WAS A BIT OF TRIVIA.

IF YOU HAD A WEDDING VIDEO SHOT IN SAN DIEGO, HE MIGHT'VE MADE IT.

>> I DID A LOT OF WEDDING VIDEOS TO PAY THE BILLS.

>>> WHETHER A ABE D CUP SIZE LOSING ONE OR BOTH BREASTS TO CANCER CAN BE A SHATTERING EXPERIENCE.

THIS YEAR I MET A GROUP OF TIGHTKNIT WOMEN LIVING IN A RETIREMENT HOME IN ESCONDIDO WHO ARE LIGHTNING THE PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH MASTECTOMIES.

ONE LOVING STITCH AT A TIME.

>> IT'S LIKE RIDING A BICYCLE.

YOU DON'T FORGET.

>> Reporter: IN HER LITTLE COTTAGE PAT ANDERSON'S CREATIVITY HAS NOT SLOWED DOWN OVER THE YEARS.

AFTER A LONG CAREER AS A TEXTILE DESIGNER SHE STILL ENJOYS MAKING YARN BY HAND ON HER HOMEMADE SPINNING WHEEL.

>> EVERYTHING YOU WEAR STARTS WITH THIS PROCESS.

>> Reporter: HER WORK BOTH OLD AND NEW IS STRONG ON HER COUCH.

HER FRIEND PAT MUELLER IS HERE.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST THING I EVER MADE.

DID YOU SEE THIS HAT?

>> NO.

>> Reporter: ADMIRES HER CREATIONS FROM THE 70s.

>> COUNTY.

>> Reporter: THE TWO PATS CALL THIS HOME THE MAGIC PLACE EDIT IS THE SETTING FOR THE NEW FRIENDSHIP AS WELL IS A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT CALLED SPW.

>> Reporter: SISTERHOOD OF THE BILL LISS WONDERS ARE BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS IN A TRIO OF KNITTERS WHO HAVE TAKEN COMFORT INTO THEIR OWN HANDS IN THE SHAPE OF HAND KNITTED BUS FORMS APTLY CALLED BUSTERS.

>> HERE THEY ARE.

NOTHING MORE THAN A SPECIALLY DESIGNED ACCESSORY.

>> Reporter: IN THE SIX YEARS SINCE PAT MADE THE FIRST PROTOTYPE THE BUSTERS PROJECT HAS HELPED MORE THAN 1200 WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE UNDERGONE MASTECTOMY SURGERY.

>> ALL WOMEN'S CLOTHING IS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE THE BUST CONTOUR.

IF THAT IS GONE, YOUR CLOSER FIT RIGHT.

YOU END UP FEELING DUMPY AND UNKEPT.

>> Reporter: MOST OF ALL IT SHOWS.

UNTIL NOW THE ONLY OFFICIAL SOLUTIONS OFFERED TO PATIENTS WERE SURGICAL RECONSTRUCTION OR MEDICAL GRADE SILICONE PROSTHETICS WHICH CAN BE HEAVY.

BUSTERS WEIGHS LESS THAN AN OUNCE.

>> THEY ARE SOFT, WASHABLE, NATURAL AND NORMAL-LOOKING.

>> Reporter: AT FIRST GLANCE THEY MAY LOOK SIMPLE.

>> THESE ARE TRICKY TO MAKE.

>> Reporter: PAT SAYS THERE IS A SPECIFIC MEETING TECHNIQUE THAT INVOLVES THE DIRECTION AND GRAIN OF THE GARDEN.

PAT HAS PROUDLY PATENTED THE DESIGN.

>> WE HAVE A CONTOUR HERE BUT IT HAS TO BE FLAT ON THE BACK.

>> Reporter: WHAT MAKES THEM MORE UNIQUE TO MY PROSTHETICS IS THEY ARE CUSTOMIZABLE IN SIZE BY SIMPLY ADDING OR REMOVING THE FILLING.

>> ALMOST A FULL CUP SIZE LARGER OR SMALLER.

>> Reporter: EVERY LAST DETAIL HAS BEEN CONSIDERED.

>> THE CHEERFUL COLORS HELP WOMEN REMEMBER THEY ARE BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS.

NOT VICTIMS.

>> Reporter: EACH PAIR TAKES ABOUT EIGHT HOURS TO KNIT.

IT IS A REAL LABOR OF LOVE.

>> WHAT YOU THINK OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> Reporter: PAT MUELLER STEPPED IN TO HELP.

>> SHE HAPPENED TO BE IN FRONT OF ME IN THE BUFFET LINE AND I SAID IF YOU NEED HELP GETTING I WOULD BE HAPPY TO.

>> SHE IS DOING THE BIGGEST SIZES SO YOU KNOW SHE IS A GOOD KNITTER.

>> Reporter: WHEN BERNICE FOUND A LUMP ON HER BREAST >> I SAID LOP IT OFF.

>> Reporter: MEDICARE COVERED THE SILICONE PROSTHETICS SHE HELD IN HER HAND WHICH USUALLY COST MORE THAN $200 PER BREAST.

>> I WAITED AND IT WEIGHS TWO POUNDS.

IT WAS HOT IN THE SUMMER.

IT CAN EVEN BE COLD IN THE WINTER.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE WOULD CHOOSE THIS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS NOW THIS BREAST SITS IN A BOX.

>> I HAVE A MUCH BETTER CHOICE NOW.

I'M STICKING WITH IT.

>> Reporter: A BASKET FULL OF THANK YOU NOTES WITH GRATITUDE FROM RECIPIENTS USUALLY COMES WITH DONATIONS.

THEY GO TOWARD SPONSORING ANOTHER WOMAN'S PAIR.

FROM ONE SURVIVOR TO ANOTHER.

>> THERE IS LIFE AFTER BREAST CANCER.

>> Reporter: AS FOR PAT ANDERSON IN A CAREER THAT DATES BACK TO MORE THAN 50 YEARS SHE SAYS BUSTERS IS HER FINAL PROJECT.

>> HOW MANY 89-YEAR-OLD WOMEN CAN SAY THEY ARE STILL DOING SOMETHING THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE?

>> Reporter: MUCH LIKE THE 6040 ACRYLIC NYLON BLEND CHOSEN FOR ITS STRENGTH AND SOFTNESS THESE SURVIVORS EXUDE THE SAME RESILIENCE.

MEETING A PRODUCT BUILT TO LAST DOWN TO THE FINAL THOUGHTFUL STITCH.

>>> BUSTERS ARE FREE FOR ANY BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR WOULD LIKE A PAIR.

IF YOU WANT A FREE PARA BUSTERS OR IF YOU CAN HELP WITH KNITTING YOU CAN EMAIL PAT RIGHT HERE.

>>> ONE OF THE IMPLEMENTABLE MEMBERS ARE COMMUNITY LOST WAS FATHER JOE CARROLL.

HIS NAME HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH HELPING THE LESS FORTUNATE.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN WAS THERE AS LOCAL PRIEST WAS REMEMBERED.

>> I LOST A GREAT FRIEND AND MENTOR.

>> Reporter: FATHER JOE WAS MANY THINGS IN LIFE.

ULTIMATELY FATHER JOE WANTED TO BE REMEMBERED AS A GOOD PRIEST.

>> Reporter: SAINT RITA'S WAS THE FIRST CHURCH HE WORKED AT IN SAN DIEGO.

FATHER JOE IS FROM NEW YORK AND MOVED TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN HIS EARLY 20s TO ATTEND ST. JOHN'S CEMETERY IN LOS ANGELES.

HE WAS KICKED OUT AND MOVED TO SAN DIEGO.

ORDAINED IN 1974 HE WORKED AT SAINT RITA'S AND WAS LATER PUT IN CHARGE OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL THRIFT STORE.

HE TURNED THE SHOP'S PARKING LOT INTO A HOMELESS SHELTER.

IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS HE BOUGHT THE SURROUNDING PROPERTY AND TURNED INTO A ONE-STOP SHOP.

THIS BECAME KNOWN AS FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES.

IT HAS A $40 MILLION BUDGET AND SERVES THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DAILY.

CARL RUSTIN HELPED HIM RAISE MONEY FOR 15 YEARS.

HE SAID FATHER JOE HELPED SO MANY PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> FATHER JOE IS AN AMAZING MAN.

>> Reporter: FOLLOWED STILL WANTED BEAVER MEMBER DOES A GOOD PRIEST BUT MANY WILL REMEMBER HIM AS A GREAT PRIEST.

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT SOME OF OUR REPORTING ON ARTS AND CULTURE OF THE PAST YEAR WE END THE SHOW WITH THE KPBS SUMMER MUSIC SERIES.

WE SHOWCASED NEARLY A DOZEN LOCAL ACTS WHICH YOU CAN STREAM ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT KPBS, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.